​By David Huxsoll and David Cook
On Saturday, 30 April the Henry Clay and Thomas Lee Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution in conjunction with the Fairfax Resolves Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution rededicated plaques mounted on the restored grave of Francis Summers at the Summers Family Cemetery in Alexandria.  The site had previously been marked by both the DAR and SAR but at some time in the 1980s the headstone broke off.  Members of the Henry Clay Chapter of the DAR were able to locate the missing headstone at a Fairfax County facility. The Henry Clay and the Thomas Lee Chapters of the DAR gained permission from Fairfax County to proceed with the restoration of the headstone. 
The well attended event was honored by the presence of Dr. Sharla P. Rausch, Director District V, NSDAR; Bruce Meyer, President of the Virginia State Society, Katherine Hooten, Regent, Thomas Lee Chapter, NSDAR; Lynn Maines-Jenkins, Regent, Henry Clay Chapter, NSDAR; Jai Cole, Executive Director Fairfax County Park Authority; David Huxsoll, President, Fairfax Resolves Chapter SAR; and Richard Rankin, President, George Washington Chapter SAR and Thad Heartman, Chairman, VASSAR Revolutionary War Graves Committee.
Funds for the restored memorial were provided by the two DAR chapters, the Fairfax Resolves Chapter and the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR).  The latter covered a little over half the $3000 cost of the project.  It should be noted that the  VASSAR administers a program funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia that recognizes the graves of everyone who contributed to the patriot cause, men and women of all races and backgrounds.  The Fairfax County Park Authority which had preserved the broken grave marker, helped re-set the headstone and added new signage to the cemetery. 
Francis Summers was born to John Summers on about 3 February 1733 most likely on land granted to his father located in present-day Alexandria, Fairfax County.  Francis became a landowner when he received land from his father in 1761.  He made his home there, in what was regarded in what some regarded as one of the finest estates in Fairfax County. 
Francis Summers was 44 years old at the time America declared its independence from Great Britain.  By 18th century standards, he was not a young man, but that did not hinder his capacity or willingness to serve his new country.
 
Like hundreds of thousands of other Americans of his time, Francis Summers rendered patriotic service and demonstrated unfailing loyalty to Virginia and the United States of America through public service and financial support for the war effort.  In his case, Summers served as Overseer of the Poor for Fairfax County and paid of the 1783 Supply Tax.
 
The position of Overseer of the Poor traced its roots to England’s Poor Laws of the 17th century.  In this capacity, Francis Summers administered to the needs of the county’s most needy residents.  He would have been responsible for assessing taxes, managing a budget, and helping to distribute money and food to the poor.  Summers served his community in this position for more than five and a half years between 1777 and 1783. 
 
He also rendered service through his payment of the 1783 Supply Tax in the State of Virginia.  This tax specially cited support for the War and was an important part of funding the war effort in its final year.
 
Just one month before his death on October 14, 1800, Summers signed his Last Will and Testament.  In it he stated: “THE NAME OF GOD Amen. I FRANCIS SUMMERS of the County of Fairfax and State of Virginia being blessed with sense and memory as much so as usual, conceive it my duty to make a distribution of my Estate between my Wife and Children before I die; which distribution I now make in the following manner, to wit. To my Son, THOMAS SUMMERS, I give and bequeath all the Land I possess lying on the North side of the TURNPIKE ROAD, as it now stands except half an acre including the BURIAL GROUND, which I reserve for the use of my Family…
 
 

​Members of the SAR, NSDAR, Virginia State Society and the Fairfax County Park Authority, proudly rededicate the restored grave of Patriot Francis Summers. 
Picture provided with permission by James Cordes, Fairfax Resolves Chapter. 

​The wreath presentation on the courthouse plaza

​The Henry County Honor Guard presents the colors with assistance from the Virginia SAR Color Guard

​The Col. George Waller chapter members in attendance posed for a picture after the ceremony along with Tom Coker, Martin’s Station chapter president 

​The Col. George Waller Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Martins Station SAR Chapter co-hosted an event on Saturday to commemorate General Joseph Martin, namesake for the city of Martinsville. It was well attended by community members and SAR leaders from around the state.
 
Remarks were given by: 
-Tom Coker, President of the Martin’s Station Chapter SAR
-W.C. Fowlkes, direct descendant of General Martin
-Josh Hess, official representative of Congressman Morgan Griffith 
 
The Henry County Honor Guard presented the colors with assistance from the Virginia SAR Color Guard. A wreath presentation on the courthouse plaza concluded the day’s events.

or Immediate Release
 
            The Richard Henry Lee Chapter (RHLC) of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) held a luncheon meeting at the Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club on 10 May. The Chapter President, Michael Rhodes, presided.
            After welcoming all guests to include members’ wives, DAR members and the President of the Norfolk SAR Chapter, Robert Bruce, Rhodes presented a membership certificate to Macon Edwards of Weems to honor his five years of faithful service to the Chapter. Next, he introduced the speaker for the meeting: Robert Teagle, Executive Director, Foundation for Historic Christ Church in Weems.
            In the introduction, Rhodes observed this would be the third time that Teagle has spoken to the Chapter. He further mentioned that Teagle earned a B.A. in History from the College of William and Mary and a M.A. in American History from Virginia Tech.
            Teagle opened his presentation by stating he was honored  to speak to an organization that worked to preserve history and promote the ideals of democracy. Teagle then announced his topic for the day: “Rising Damp and Archaeology at Historic Christ Church.” He noted he has worked at Christ Church for twenty-two years. During that time one of his primary jobs has been to preserve the church, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961
            The church pre-dated the American Revolution. In 1670, the first church erected on the site was a wooden building. In 1730, Robert Carter the son of John Carter who had constructed the wooden church, decided a more prominent church should be erected. With approval from the vestry of Christ Church Parish, he then funded the construction of a brick building on the same site.
            In the 20TH century several individuals and groups have undertaken preservation projects at the site. But until now none of these projects addressed the issue of “rising damp.”
            Rising damp, Teagle explained, is the process by which ground water moves vertically and horizontally into building materials like brick, mortar, stone, woodwork and plaster by capillary action and rises in these materials before being evaporated. Over time, rising damp has caused serious damage to Christ Church’s renowned architectural elements: brickwork, stone trim, plaster and interior woodwork.
            Previous efforts to mitigate rising damp did not address the cause of the problem. A brick splash installed around the building in 1967 did little and was removed three decades later. Over the years, the Foundation has repointed brickwork and repaired interior plaster, but by not tackling the fundamental problem of managing stormwater, rising damp has continued unabated, increasingly threatening Christ Church’s unique historic fabric.
            Teagle showed photographs that documented the damage rising damp has inflicted on Christ Church over three centuries. Images from the early 20th century to the present showed evidence of moisture damage to the brick walls, stone elements, interior plaster and paneling.
            After studying the issue for several years, the Foundation has begun work to install a stormwater drainage system. The project involves carefully digging a trench around the building to the depth sufficient to collect and pipe water away from the structure and then restoring the surface, so it looks like nothing is there.
             Teagle then asked Compatriot Wally Dawson a Chapter member and, also a retired engineer who chairs the rising damp committee volunteers at Christ Church if he could comment on the ongoing work. Dawson, calling attention to NFL football game, remarked that when you see the field remain relatively dry during a rainstorm, it is because they are using the same technique as now being installed at Christ Church to drain away surface water.
            Teagle invited the community to learn more about the project by visiting the church as evacuations continue this summer.
            The next meeting of RHLC will be another luncheon meeting at ICYCC on 14 June (National Flag Day). The speaker for the meeting will be Mark Favazza, regional director of the YMCA. The Chapter is also planning an event to celebrate Flag Day. If you are interested in learning more aout RHLC contact President Rhodes 1-804-929-1444 or mail airsllc@gmail.com.



​

 
           

​(L-R, Bill Denk (SAR), Patrick Volpe (Foundation), Larry McKinley (SAR), Andy Wilson (Foundation Chair), Bob Newhall (Foundation), Katharine Heberg (Foundation), John Thomas (SAR),  Jim Cordes (SAR)

​Sons of the American Revolution Recognize Great Falls Memorial Foundation for Patriotism
On May 14, 2022 the Fairfax Resolves Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) (fairfaxresolvessar.org) recognized the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Foundation for continuous “Exemplary Patriotism in the Display of the Flag of the United States of America”. The memorial was originally established in memory of the six Great Falls residents who died on 9/11. The American flag has continuously flown there since 2004. The Foundation has also allowed the SAR to use the memorial every June 14th on Flag Day since 2010 for a proper flag retirement ceremony. The burning of the flags is supported by the Great Falls Fire Department and will be taking place again this June 14th. Anyone with old flags needing disposal can drop them off at the Great Falls Library at any time if you cannot be there on June 14th.
The SAR presented members of the Memorial Foundation board with a certificate of recognition and a new flag for use at the Memorial.
The Foundation will be hosting it annual Memorial Day event at the site on May 30.  Please check their site for details (gffreedom.org).
The Memorial is located behind the Great Falls Public Library (9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls VA 22066).

​VIRGINIA STATE POLICE DIVISION 7 COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST RECOGNIZED FOR EXCEPTIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE
 
Division Seven System Technician Lucy Rowe was recognized at the Virginia State Police Area Ten Meeting and was awarded the National Society Sons of the American Revolution  (SAR) Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal for exceptional service and accomplishments in the field of Law Enforcement by the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Virginia Sons of the American Revolution.  First Sergeant Alvin D. Blankenship made the nomination.
 
The citation for honoree Lucy Rowe reads:  System Technician, Division Seven, Lucy Rowe has served with distinction with the Virginia State Police for over forty-three years.  During her extensive law enforcement career, which began in 1978, Ms. Rowe has served the citizens and her law enforcement counterparts in many capacities, to include administration, Dispatcher rising to a Senior Dispatcher, and ultimately her position as the System Technician with the Division Seven Communication Center. As the System Technician, Lucy Rowe is responsible for the mobile CAD System which allows the Troopers to communicate with the Dispatchers and provides them with the valuable tools they need to effectively perform their duties on the road. In addition, Lucy Rowe previously served on the State’s Joint Dispatch Center (PSTOC) planning committee from its concept. Her efforts were instrumental in defining the Virginia State Police’s role in the project and her vast knowledge and experience proved to be invaluable to the planning committee as a whole. Throughout her career Lucy Rowe has been an exemplary employee, role model, mentor and a dedicated service asset to the citizens of the commonwealth.  It is with great pleasure and honor that the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter of the National Society Sons of The American Revolution presents Ms. Lucy Rowe with the Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal.
 
Representing the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Virginia SAR were Chapter President, Ken Bonner and Rhett Wade, Chairman of the Public Service Committee. 

​The Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter, Virginia SAR, was proud to present the Bronze SAR ROTC medal and certificate to Cadet Sadie Leigh, recognized by her Loudoun County High School NJROTC Unit for outstanding leadership, dedication, and character, on Wednesday the 11th of May 2022.
President Ken Bonner and Vice President Barry Schwoerer were delighted to represent our Chapter in the Unit's end of year awards, senior recognition ceremony, and change of command."

​Fort Harrison Compatriot Randy Atkins, past-President and a descendant, laid a wreath at the Grave Marker Dedications for Hannah Smith, wife of Revolutionary War Patriot Adam Smith and Revolutionary War Patriot Michael Crouse. The ceremony was sponsored by the Narrow Passage Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Also attending from Fort Harrison was 1st Vice-President Ros Poplar. Attending from the Massanutton Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was Regent Penny Cummiskey.

​      The Fort Harrison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution participated in the James Madison University Annual Army ROTC awards ceremony held on May 4 at Memorial Hall.
      First Vice President CAPT Ros Poplar USN (ret) presented the Silver R.O.T.C. Medal to Cadet Cameron Todd Rigney. The Award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership qualities, military bearing, and excellence, which exemplify the high ideals and principles which motivated and sustained our patriot ancestors. Also in attendance was Compatriot Randy Atkins, Past President of the Fort Harrison Chapter.
       Cadet Rigney will be graduating from JMU with a Kinesiology degree with an exercise science concentration. His military career began when he enlisted into the Virginia National Guard in March 2020 and attended basic combat training at Fort Jackson, SC. He desires to  pursue a career in physical therapy and be stationed with the famed 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg NC. Prior to this, he will be attending the Army’s Basic Officers Leadership Course and Fort Lee with follow on training at  Fort Benning GA where he hopes to earn his jump wings.

​On Sunday March 27, the Fairfax Resolves, Sergeant Major John Champe and Colonel William Grayson Chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution honored the men and women who served and sacrificed during the now second longest conflict in United States history.  The event was held at the Fairfax County Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, at the Historic Fairfax Courthouse.  The commemoration honored the nine million veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975.  This includes 2.7 million U.S. service members who served in Vietnam, 58,000 who paid the ultimate sacrifice, 304,000 who were wounded and 1,253 still missing in action. 
Those present paid homage not only to those who gave their lives but to their comrades present.  Compatriots Larry McKinley, Mike Weyler, Ross Schwalm, James Cordes and Jack Sweeney spoke of their own, the experiences of others that served, and the lessons learned because of that war.  We are forever indebted all our Vietnam veterans.